Nasarawa State Government has warned communities in the state against indiscriminate felling of trees to avoid flooding.

The Commissioner of Environment, Mr Gabriel Aka’aka, made the call on Wednesday in Toto during a sensitisation campaign on the adverse effects of flooding.

Newsmen report that the campaign was organised by the ministry for the people of Toto Local Government Area.

Aka’aka was represented at the occasion by Mr Randolph Para, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.

He said the campaign was to educate and enlighten the people of the area on the adverse effects of flooding and the need for them to avoid indiscriminate felling of trees.

He said that indiscriminate felling of trees was not only harmful to the environment, but could also cause flooding.

Aka’aka appealed to residents of the area involved in indiscriminate felling of trees to change their attitude to avoid flooding.

He advised them to keep their environment clean in the interest of their health and for the overall development of the state.

The commissioner warned residents of the state against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and building of structure along the waterways considering its health implications on human lives and to avoid flooding.

Aka’aka said: “Nasarawa state government under Gov. Tanko Al-Makura is doing its best to keep the environment clean, hence the need for the sensitisation campaign to educate the people on the dangers of flooding.

“It is the responsibility of everybody to complement government efforts by keeping his or her environment clean.

“It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

“It is on this note that the government and stakeholders are always advising the people on the need to maintain personal and environmental hygiene in the interest of their lives and for the overall development of the society.”

The commissioner stressed the commitment of the ministry to initiate policies and programmes that would have direct impact on the lives of the people.

Some of the stakeholders, who spoke during the campaign, commended the government for the measures put in place to sensitise the people on the consequences of flooding.